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I was in local wood supply store the other day and saw a big slab of sassafras. Which caused me to wonder, "Has anyone every used this wood as a tonewood?"

The guitars pictured here are made from Southern Hemisphere blackheart sassafras (Atherosperma) and I've built one very successful dreadnought with the stuff. BUT, this is NOT the same as the genus "Sassafras" found in the northern hemisphere -- different genus and family, although the taxonomic order is the same. Pretty distant relationship.

The Aussies are fond of using English common names that are not at all related to their northern namesake. Sassafras is a case in point.

I haven't used the genus "Sassafras".

I have plans to use it for backs, sides and necks, since it is roughly the same density as mahogany. I started a sassafras 12-fret 000 a few years ago, but in the meantime, I found some more quartered wood to use. Bending sassafras sides is a breeze (similar to ash).
I have used sassafras for kerfing and for neck and tail blocks in the past. It is very strong for its weight. One thing to note is that sassafras dust can cause allergic reactions. But I have not had any problems with it so far.

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John

Of course, most of us know that the root of the sassafras tree was used for "root beer". But did you know that the key ingredient was banned as a carcinogen in the US in 1960? I didn't till I looked it up. And the wood is so pretty. Doesn't bother me. I'm going to build one soon and hope that the sound hole "nose" is root beer!

For one of the nicest sounding dulcimers I built I used a (north american) sassafras top. I have some wood I intend to use for a guitar soundboard, but haven't yet.

Hi

I built this "sassadread" 12 frets, with sitka top, 1 year ago, and it is a great guitar, I had very good comments about it!






It was ordered from Australian Tonewoods.

It is.....if you are talking about real sassafras. I have no idea what blackheart sassafras smells like.
This is 'real' sassafras:
http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/sassafras.htm
With the exception of the rare curly piece, I wouldn't call it 'pretty'..... unless you really like plain.

Whenever I see a report about some cancer causing agent, I make a note of the amount of exposure that was necessary to trigger it. Many of the tests are so exaggerated that they have little resemblance to reality.
Too much of anything is bad, usually.

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John

Thanks for all for the responses. And thank you Tim and John for pointing out that what I intended to ask about was Sassafras albidum, the genus/species found in North America. I have been thinking about domestic hardwoods lately and saw the slab I mentioned in a local wood working store. I should know better than to use common names because of the confusion it might cause. The blackheart sassafras is very striking (Quentin - your guitar is gorgeous, really like the slotted head), but I was curious about the North American genus; it actually ranges down into Florida. I'm going to try to get back to the wood store this week and will snap a couple of pictures of the slab I'm talking about - really want to know if they have re-sawing capabilities. I know they do a lot of millwork, and maybe they can cut the slab up of me if the price is right.

Sassafras albidum does vary somewhat in weight and stiffness, but tends to be on the light side as hardwoods go. That is one reason I am willing to try it for a soundboard. It is a fairly plain looking wood, but looks nice under finish. All mahogany guitars are plain janes, but people love them all the same.

I use sassafras for uke necks Luv the smell .Tried to make 10 gallons of root beer using sassafras root about 43 years ago 4 days later I awoke to find root beer all over the kitchen floor . I had sealed the caps tight and the root beer exploded lol

That sassy dread is realy a looker!

Not all mahogany is plain Jane. The Tree comes to mind

Thanks!
Sorry I didn't know there was a Sassafras in the USA, for it was only an oceanian wood

The way you mounted that peg head plate is pure art